An analysis of some of the current technologies for Web-DBMS integration

Authors

Nolan, Susan

Issue Date

2002

Degree

BSc in Computer Science

Publisher

Dublin Business School

Rights

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Abstract

The Internet is explained together with its Intranet and Extranet implementations and the important development of peer-to-peer environments. The areas of application are set in context, from E-commerce through E-business to all embracing ecosystems. The characterises and future direction of the Web are set out including HTTP, HTML, URLs, XML and web pages. These are considered against the technology backdrop of client server computing. The Web as a database application platform is particularly considered and its specific requirements set out. This involves considering developments in architectures from mainframe, through file sharing, to client server. Client server is fundamental and its two tier and three-tier variants are looked at from the point of view of their advantages/disadvantages to an integrated Web-DBMS architecture. Approaches to integrating databases into a Web environment are considered including scripting languages (JavaScript, VBScript, Perl and PHP) and the Common Gateway Interface (for interactivity and some dynamics between the site and the user, and the use of cookies). Finally, some conclusions are drawn regarding an evaluation of Microsoft's Web Solution as a potential E-business platform with Web-DBMS integration.